Magic, it should be simple to fill. Just fill the rad until it is full, then turn the power on the pump for only a second or 2. then fill up more water, and repeat. Then, eventually there will be a steady flow of fluid, and you should be able to leave the pump on for a few hours. The bubbles will take a while to get out, but just grab a beer or somehting! Then, when it looks good, top the rad up, close it off, and you should be good to go. Really, it took me less than a few minutes getting mine full.

Oh, beware...don't fill it too much. Haha, last time I did mine, when turning the pump on and off it got rid of some bubles, and also splashed a ton of fluid around. I had it filled up a little too much I think hehe. Also, when it is done, we want to see pics!

Not meaning to steal the thread but, you leak-test with the blocks all attached? isn't that a wee bit bad? or will these liquids dry off nice and clean if some does leak while the components are powered off?

I'm really a bit sketchy on what to do with the system once all my parts are inside.

Yes I leak test with a fully put together system. If it leaks, I clean it off best I can with papertowell, then don't fire the thing up for a few hours at least. I still have not had leaks though, as 7/16" ID tubing on 1/2" barbs are Extremely tight!

You can also put some paper towels around the connections. Just check if the the paper towels are wet, and if they are obviously you have a leak there. Also, if it does leak, you will probably have noticed before any components got wet so cleaning up will just be a matter of throwing out the paper towels. Though if any paper towel gets into a fan, it'll scare the crap out of you from the noise, so keep the paper towel clear of fans and your pants will be clear of poop.

Oh, beware...don't fill it too much. Haha, last time I did mine, when turning the pump on and off it got rid of some bubles, and also splashed a ton of fluid around. I had it filled up a little too much I think hehe. Also, when it is done, we want to see pics!

Yes i will take some pictures of my humble system-before and after-hopefully the after shows the system working. The tips here have been very useful. Ive trawled the web watched a few vids on youtube but first-hand accounts really help to "bridge the gap"---especially with the "filling part" and dumb questions on powering the pump

yes chuckle i know what you mean. I'll try and write some noob impressions--one thing about the apogee GT block-dont like the plastic barbs, or the mounting screw setup--both are a little cheap....especially when you compare with metal barbs or thermarights ultra extreme mounts. That said the block was great value is very well constructed and has lots of copper and i can always buy more barbs!!